There is a park golf course where players can enjoy a round alongside the cool currents of the Nakdong River. It is the Sangju Nakdong Riverside Park Golf Course, located on the floodplain upstream of the Nakdan Weir in Jugam-ri, Jungdong-myeon, Sangju, North Gyeongsang Province. Opened last year, the course was certified this year by the Korea Park Golf Association and is emerging as a new park golf destination in Sangju. Players can hit along broad fairways while taking in views of the Nakdong River, making it well suited to a nature-friendly round.
36 Holes Shaped by Natural Terrain, With River Winds as the Main Variable
The Sangju Nakdong Riverside Park Golf Course, which opened last November, is a 36-hole facility built at a cost of about 1.9 billion won on a 47,987-square-meter site around 968-1 Osang-ri, Jungdong-myeon, Sangju, North Gyeongsang Province.
The course measures 2,453 meters in total and is divided into four nine-hole courses: A (Nakdonggang, 618 meters), B (Munjangdae, 583 meters), C (Gyeongcheondae, 622 meters) and D (Gotgam, 630 meters). Its defining feature is that it preserves as much of the existing natural terrain along the Nakdong River as possible. The fairways are generally wide and many holes run straight, so beginners can play here with relative ease.
On Course A, the key is to use the wide fairways for steady tee shots. Rather than forcing distance, players are better served by placing the ball with the next shot in mind. Course B also has wide fairways, but requires controlling power with the remaining distance and the following shot in mind.
Course C has many straight holes that reward long hitters, but the challenge is keeping the ball on line. On Course D, rather than trying to make up distance on the longer holes, players should advance steadily within their own carry distance.
The course has a strong recreational character overall, but its biggest variable is the river wind. Into a headwind, players need to add power; with a tailwind, the ball can travel farther than expected, so landing spots should be judged with some margin.
Key Points to Check Before Playing
Operating hours at the Sangju Nakdong Riverside Park Golf Course change with the season. From April through September, it is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and from October through March, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Lunch and rest time runs from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
The course is closed every Tuesday. It also closes on Jan. 1 and on the days of Seollal, the Lunar New Year holiday, and Chuseok, the autumn harvest holiday. Temporary closures may occur between February and April for turf protection and facility maintenance, and access may also be restricted because of high winds or other natural events, or for facility work.
There is no fee regardless of where players live, but booking procedures differ by residence. Sangju residents may play on-site without a reservation after presenting identification. They must bring a form of ID that verifies their identity, such as a resident registration card, driver's license or passport.
Non-residents must book in advance through Sangju's integrated reservation system, from 15 days before their intended date until the day before. Phone reservations and on-site registration are not accepted; only online booking through the integrated reservation system is available.
In both the summer and winter seasons, 50 players can use the course in the morning and 50 in the afternoon. In the summer season, play is available from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. In the winter season, the hours are 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
The parking lot can hold about 1,000 vehicles. Basic amenities including an office, restrooms, shaded pergolas and a practice area are also in place.
Along the Nakdong River to Gyeongcheondae and Gyeongcheon Island
After a round, the natural and cultural attractions that line the Nakdong River in Sangju are worth a look. Around the course are scenic spots overlooking the river as well as sites that showcase Sangju's history and culture.
The first stop worth making is Gyeongcheondae. Known as the finest view on the Nakdong River, Gyeongcheondae is one of Sangju's signature scenic areas, where the winding river, craggy cliffs and old pines come together. From the observation deck, visitors can take in the surrounding stretch of the Nakdong River at a glance. Walking routes run along pine forest paths, stone-walled lanes, the Muujeong pavilion and a suspension bridge. The Gyeongcheondae tourist area also holds Chungui Shrine, honoring General Jeong Gi-ryong, who fought during the Japanese invasions of 1592, and a former television drama set, making it a place to see nature and historical sites together.
For a more leisurely take on the riverside scenery, Gyeongcheon Island is also worth recommending. Built in the middle of the Nakdong River, the waterfront space allows visitors to walk along the river and take in the views. The Sangju Museum and the National Institute of Biological Resources' Nakdonggang facility are nearby, offering a look at both the city's history and the river's ecology.
Those curious about Sangju's identity as a "bicycle city" can stop by the Sangju Bicycle Museum. Sangju is a region where cycling paths run along the Nakdong River, and the museum presents the history of the bicycle along with a range of related exhibits. It also works well as part of a route combining park golf with a riverside cycling trip.
◈Sangju Nakdong Riverside Park Golf Course at a Glance
▣Location = Around 968-1 Osang-ri, Jungdong-myeon, Sangju, North Gyeongsang Province
▣Size = 36 holes (47,987 square meters)
▣Hours = Summer season (April-September) 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; winter season (October-March) 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
▣Fee = Free
▣Equipment rental = Not available
▣Booking = Sangju residents may play on-site; non-residents must book in advance through the Sangju integrated reservation system between 15 days and one day before playing
▣Operator = Sangju City
